“I respect them a lot,” he said. “They’re the two-time champs. I have a lot of respect for LeBron and what he’s accomplished, and (Dwyane) Wade and all those guys. It’s hard to win championships. I was lucky enough to win three times and this is my fifth Finals. I realize how hard it is. All they got is well deserved. I take it like a great challenge and have a lot of respect for them.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, of course, had zero interest in the subject.